(STATEHOUSE) - For the second time in six days, Senators have rejected civil unions as a potential middle ground in the gay-marriage debate.

On a 36-11 party-line vote, the Senate shot down a proposal by Anderson Democrat Tim Lanane to delete a ban on civil unions from a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had rejected a similar attempt by Lanane last week.

Lanane points to legal scholars who warn language banning recognition of "a legal status identical to or substantially similar to that of marriage" for same-sex couples could invalidate health benefits for unmarried couples, both homosexual and heterosexual.

Other legal experts disagree, and supporters of a ban argue businesses quickly found a way around a Michigan Supreme Court ruling on that state's constitutional amendment.